Olympe de Gouges’s Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen

Jan 16

2 min read

Olympe de Gouges’s Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen is an illustrative example for the Enlightenment topic in Unit 5 of AP World History. This is an example you could reference on your AP World History test.

Olympe de Gouges, a courageous and visionary French playwright and political activist, authored the groundbreaking “Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen” in 1791 during the tumultuous era of the French Revolution. This document serves as a milestone in the history of feminism and political philosophy, boldly challenging the prevailing gender inequalities of the time.

In response to the revolutionary “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen,” which notably excluded women, de Gouges passionately argued for the recognition of women’s rights within the context of the Enlightenment principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Her declaration proclaimed the inherent rights of women to education, property ownership, and participation in political life. It demanded equal opportunities for women and rejected the notion of male superiority.

De Gouges’s document, while aligning with the revolutionary spirit, also critiqued the inconsistencies in the revolutionary discourse by highlighting the hypocrisy of championing liberty while denying it to half of the population. Her work was a bold assertion of women’s agency and an early call for gender equality in a time when such ideas were radical.

Despite her courageous stance, Olympe de Gouges faced backlash, and her activism eventually led to her falling out of favor with the revolutionary authorities. She was executed in 1793 during the Reign of Terror.

Olympe de Gouges’s “Declaration of the Rights of Woman” stands as a testament to her unwavering commitment to gender equality, contributing to the ongoing struggle for women’s rights. Her fearless advocacy paved the way for future generations of feminists and remains a poignant reminder of the intersection between feminism and revolutionary ideals during a pivotal period in history.